Gov. Inslee: Bertha to resume drilling ‘in a few days’

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OLYMPIA — Governor Jay Inslee announced Tuesday that after weeks of sitting idle, the tunnel boring machine known as Bertha will resume drilling soon.

The Longshore Union has agreed to stop picketing outside the tunneling project so work can continue.

The Longshore Union began picketing the project over a dispute over jobs back in August. According to the governor’s office, no resolution has been made in the dispute. Talks will continue as the drilling work resumes.

Washington State’s Department of Transportation announced Monday that the tunneling project would eventually close the Alaskan Way Viaduct for two weeks. That closure of the viaduct could happen early next year.

This is all part of a $3 billion tunnel project that is expected to be completed by late 2015.

3 comments

Jim

Xuven

The longshoreman lost in court , when the court ruled that the dirt wasn't theirs to move until it got to the port… But then they never have respected the courts or laws unless they could use them to their benefit. The longshore union should be sued for all the $$$ their little temper tantrum cost…. I believe that some unions have lost their focus from their original Purpose, that was fair pay, fair hours, reasonably safe and clean working conditions…. Now some workers use the union to get away with almost any thing, and not get fired… Some unions will even defend people's jobs that were caught stealing from the company.